WOW! Its been slow slogging in the higher end market here, but all of a sudden, things are starting to move. Homes on the market for over $1million began to SELL- really! Shocking? At first, and then we look at some of the real, steal deals that can be bought. Builders and home owners alike, feeling the credit, money, activity lag, have reduced prices providing those in the Durango, Colorado luxury home market with some great opportunities. For example, one home that originally appraised for over $3 million sold for just about half that! Had to be the deal of the year- right? A few more have sold for $300-$500k below their original asking prices, and a few more large deals, at great prices, are in the works.

What does this mean for the market? Those with cash, or ability to get good loans, are stepping up and bargain shopping. We already know that the market's lower end, here under $300k, has been active all year long, but now, the upper end is starting to percolate. And, surprisingly, our resort area market has seen steady sales this summer- not huge volumes. but steady activity. Does that mean...that maybe, soon, a turn-around? No telling, but the sky just seems a bit brighter these days.

Many people have a dream of owning Durango, Colorado real estate. Specifically, they want to create their vision of an ideal lifestyle, be it town, ranch, farm, or resort property.  There are many things to consider when on the quest for land that will provide you with the ideal locale and atmosphere for all your pursuits, so we thought a brief discussion would be helpful.

 Think first of what your goals are for the land? Do you want to build a home? When? Do you want to hold the land for investment? How long?

In Durango, few people who come from elsewhere want to build immediately. Usually the quest for the perfect land begins a few years out.  Experience says that plans may change, so remaining flexible, and looking at a good "exit strategy" up front will help make your decision one you can live with in the longer term.

 Features of the land itself help establish priorities: What type of views are desired? What about water-is it just for the home or do animals, fishing rights, etc. need to be considered? Are there children and pets? How close to town/city amenities is necessary? What about topography- meadows and grasslands? rolling hills? forest and trees? And, for riders, hunters, hikers and the like, is the parcel close to public lands?

 Access to land parcels can vary as some Durango area properties have seasonal access, usually meaning snowmobile only in winter. Roads in rural areas are usually gravel, either County and maintained by same, or private, with Covenants covering their maintenance by the group of owners.  So, type of road, ownership and maintenance, and the grade/distance one has to travel should all be weighed.  With that said, there are many, many options out there for all types of Durango Land buyers.

 (Are you making a checklist yet? It can be a good guide when looking online, or working with a broker to help find the right types of land.)

 In the Durango area, ranch and recreational properties offering hunting, fishing, winter sports and rural lifestyle are located throughout La Plata County.  Alpine climate with dense fir forests, aspens and close-up mountain views can be had in the North Animas Valley. Lots range in size from ¼ acre home sites, to many acre retreats.  The Bayfield/Vallecito area is known for lush meadows, pines, and wide open views, with plenty of water. West Durango including Hersperus, can have big La Plata Mountain views, rolling pastures, creeks, and trees. South of Durango is a bit warmer and drier, with rolling grasslands, big mountain or valley views, and possible irrigation water.

 No matter where the land is located, home sites are generally valued based on amenities, locale and aesthetics, such as views, water and infrastructure nearby.

Homesites vary from small lots in established subdivisions- town and rural- to 35+ acre parcels with roads and utilities.  Acreage runs from small parcels to large 1,000 acre ranches. Ranch amenities vary greatly, and consulting a ranch sales expert can help target your search to what suits your needs.

 In summary, owning land in Durango, Colorado offers you the opportunity to create your own vision and lifestyle, and can provide a lasting legacy for your family.  Let us know what questions you have, I am at your service!

ON THE FENCE ABOUT LOOKING FOR A HOME WITH A MORTGAGE OVER $417K?  A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOPPING IN THE DURANGO, COLORADO AREA MIGHT EXPERIENCE ANGST OVER GETTING FINANCING FOR THE RETIREMENT HOME, RESORT HOME, or RANCH that they really would like to have. While Durango's real estate values have NOT cratered overall, there are great buys in all price categories, and many prime properties that are "great deals" that are over $500k. Why? Mountain resort towns don't have a lot of land left! Things built are in prime locations and become more desireable as the population expands; naturally, and by people moving into the area.

Right now, Durango's market has a lot of "pent up demand" from folks looking to move, but having to sell something first, or awaiting a cash payment from something before they buy. Looking at getting a good reak estate deal might mean acting sooner, versus later. I spoke to two local lenders that are ready and willing to lend to those who are

1. well qualified with jobs, documented income, and credit scores;

2. have a downpayment as required by the loan structure.

These lenders are making JUMBO LOANS,(either a single or two loans over $417k) with INTEREST RATES COMPETITIVE WITH CONFORMING LOANS.  Yes, it can be done. 

Many of the best buys in Durango and Bayfield Colorado areas are over $500k- so if this suits your needs and wallets, don't be afraid to look.  For two prime examples, check out my listings at http://www.horizondurango.com/611979/customhome.html, and http://www.horizondurango.com/614589/countryfeel.html  .   You can contact me at marlene@horizondurango.com for more information

Last year, I profiled Durango, Colorado's premier winter celebration, known as SNOWDOWN.  Its that time again, and this year the theme couldn't be more appropriate - SNOWDOWN IN DA NILE! Yep, the whole town has great  reasons to forget the economic crisis, the housing crisis, the job crisis- at least for 5 days of fun, wacky events, and overall good times.  As co-coordinator for SNOWDOWN, I do a lot of work with our Team and Board all year long. But, most of the "heavy lifting" is done, and its time to celebrate the winter fest that puts us on the map of Colorado events, and brings us all together, SNOWDOWN.

Wednesday kicks off with the totally wacky Dos n Don'ts Fashion show- this year entitled "Queens of Da Nile". What you'll see is anyone's guess!   Good weather is forecast for the entire 5-day run of SNOWDOWN, so people will be in the streets in their Ancient Egyptian, or "DA NILE" attire of choice.

See my Blog from Jan. 08 for a full history and description of SNOWDOWN, and come on to Durango, Colorado to have the best time ever in the heart of winter.

Its NOT TOO LATE! Fall is still brilliantly displayed here in Southerwest Colorado, in the high country and in the valleys, leaves are glowing golden, orange and even red. Yes, red, the color thought to belong to New England, is here, too. Last week we hiked the Purgatory Creek trail from Purgatory (Durango Mountain Resort) to the Cascade Wye, where the DSNGRR trains stop for lunch breaks on their shorter runs. It was stunning- absolutely breathtaking to walk among that special golden light that the shimmering, translucent aspen leaves give off.  Especially now with the markets in turmoil, our souls can use some R&R, and reconnection with the joys and beauty of natural surroundings. I think our ability to walk out the door and escape into nature is one reason people in Durango seem less stressed by today's events. So come out, while fall is still bright, and let yourself be taken in by nature.  You don't even have to hike, just drive, and stop, and look, and take plenty of pictures because the scenery will soon change - as will the present stressful conditions. 

"Come on down", as the game show host loves to say when initiating a deal.  So it is in Durango, Colorado, this August. Come on down, we have a really good inventory at ALL PRICE LEVELS, and good deals can be had in any price range. Unlike larger areas, we do NOT have the proliferation of foreclosures and REOs. There are some, and it does look like we will have more of both types of properties by year end than we did last year.  But, regular listings are priced more aggressively than the past few years. Individual properties may be as much as 10% lower in some cases.  That may not seem like a lot when compared to price reductions in some stressed markets, but our values have always held up well, due to the desireable location. So, if you are thinking of getting a second home, or changing your address for something new in the Durango area, NOW IS THE TIME! For more specifics on good buys in Durango, email me - marlene@horizondurango.com or call 970/749-8913.  And, have a great late summer!

After hearing all the doom and gloom about the national real estate market, I was curious enough to look into our local market statistics.  Thus far, we in the Durango area, are still selling property of all types. A quick look at year to date tells me that nearly 50% of properties sold were under $300,000 and about 25% were above $500,000.  Commercial opportunities were just about 4% of those sold, while many residential units sold were condos. We've had a snowy winter, and lots of people visiting our local ski resort, Purgatory, have contributed to  condo sales at the resort itself. But our market also has a good supply of lower-priced units in town Durango now, and these seem to be actively selling.

While no one knows how much impact the new Federal loan regulations will have over the year, we all are hopeful for an active spring and summer sales season. Meanwhile, our office is planning upgrades in marketing and services to help us work smarter in an ever-changing market. I look forward to being more efficient and hope it will also lead us to increasing our effectiveness in serving our clients - read: SALES!

 A short while ago, I posted a blog request looking for anecdotes about fellow Realtors being rewarded by their clients for "exceptional customer service". I am still interested in hearing from any of you who have a minute to share a tale about something you did that they, the client, really liked. But it also occurred to me that client expectations may be changing in the current market. What have you all seen that might prove this true, or not?

Are you being asked to do more for less commission? Have expectations of finding "bargains" greatly colored some thinking, and if so, what happens when you might not find the perfect place, at at half price?  How about follow up service?  i'm curious, and also want to open up a forum to talk about changes in clients' perceptions of what we do, and how we do it! 

Email me at marlene@horizondurango.com Love to hear what you have to say.  mg

I've been in business for over 25 years and have had a lot of opportunities to serve customers, handle irate customers, and have customers become friends. Looking at the past, though, doesn't always help convey what EXACTLY customers view as "exceptional service" from their real estate broker! 

I'll be giving a short class in Durango, Colorado in a few weeks on the "Small WOWs" of customer service and wanted to gather some anecdotes from fellow practitioners on what things they have done that received the most customer appreciation.

Was it being a technical whiz and getting all those sundry bits of information together? Was it showing them the different income streams with various investment property options? Or was it bringing a big umbrella to a showing when it rained??? What expectations do clients have of us and how do we go about exceeding them?   

I'll use these shared examples to help draw some comparisons between customer expectations in different areas of business, and I think we on the Active Rain network will have a good time reading them, too.

So, if you get a minute, share a thought about you, being rewarded for, EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Thanks, and if others in the general audience want to contribute their ideas and experiences, please email me at marlene@horizondurango.com. I would love to hear from you!  mg 

Durango, Colorado's premier winter celebration turns 30 this year. Every January, we put away the holiday lights and start getting ready for SNOWDOWN. Born as a way to "promote fun, commerce and tourism" in the heart of winter, SNOWDOWN is a 5-day festival of wacky events hosted by businesses and groups throughout the community. Wednesday, Jan. 30 kicks off SNOWDOWN 2008 with the wildly funny "Dos and Dont's Fashion Show". The idea for the Show was born when USA Today mentioned that Durango was one of the "worst -dressed" towns in the country. A spoof on all things, the show is a sell-out and one of the funniest SNOWDOWN events. Over 60 events take place over the next 5 days.  The hottest SNOWDOWN ticket is the FOLLIES (see www.snowdownfollies.org.) which involves over 100 locals spoofing it up for appreciative audiences.  Friday's highlight is the SNOWDOWN Light Parade - where theme floats use lights and hot air balloons light up the cold night with warmth and colorful costumes. Costumes are a given at SNOWDOWN as each year has a theme.  This year is YE OLDE SNOWDOWN, a thirty-year quest for fun. Expect to see kings, queens, knights, and plenty of jesters and knaves running around the snowy streets of Durango for SNOWDOWN lets our inner child come out and have FUN! 

I am the Co-cordinator (coco2 for short) of SNOWDOWN, and have worked with a great team of people on planning and making SNOWDOWN happen for 7 years. I love it as it involves the whole community in something that is positive and provides fun for entire families, as well as promotes business in the doldrums of mid-winter. An increasing number of visitors now plan to make a trek to Durango for SNOWDOWN, and we love having them. If you're planning on coming, book your rooms early. And, for all the SNOWDOWN news, go to www.snowdown.org.  See you at SNOWDOWN!  mg- for specific questioins, contact me at coco2@snowdown.org.